The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reports that 2017 was a year of surprising crop yields in dicey conditions and continued weak livestock prices. The year also brought gains in conservation work to improve water quality. 


“While the challenging economic conditions on the farm continued in 2017, I was extremely encouraged to continue to see farmers experimenting and investing in water quality efforts on their farm,” Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said in a statement. “We continue to see Iowans on the farm and in our communities taking on the challenge of improving water quality. It is encouraging to see growth by farmers in both infield practices, such as cover crops and no-till, but also edge of field practices, like wetlands and bioreactors, as we work to address this important issue.” 


A strong start to the crop-growing season in Iowa — the nation’s top producer of corn and soybeans — gave way to drought. Dire crop forecasts proved wrong, though, with yields expected to make this one of the most productive U.S. grain years on record.


“In many cases Iowa farmers saw surprisingly good yields this year, but with that strong supply we continue to see low prices,” said Mike Naig, Iowa deputy secretary of agriculture. “That highlights again how important it is we continue to build demand for our ag products, both domestically and internationally. A strong livestock industry, expanding use of renewable fuels and promoting international trade are all vitally important.” 


Here’s part of the picture: 
– Iowa’s corn harvest was an estimated 2.54 billion bushels, which would be second only to last year’s record of 2.74 billion bushels. The statewide average yield was expected to be 197 bushels per acre.

– The soybean crop was 557 million bushels, also the second-highest on record, with yields averaging 56 bushels per acre.

– Low crop prices persisted. Average statewide corn prices were just under $3 a bushel in November and falling. Statewide average soybean prices for November were $9.04, down 21 cents from last year.

– Livestock prices rebounded slightly. For example, hog prices were at $47.30 per hundredweight in October, up from $41.70 last year.

– Iowa produced 1.33 billion eggs in October 2017, up 3 percent from the same month last year.

– Iowa had 242 goat dairies and approximately 60 aquaculture producers this year.

– Farmland prices rose 2 percent over the past year.

– The state continued to lead the nation in exports of pork, corn and feed grain.

– The state ag department offered a new program aimed at increasing acres of cover crops in the state. Iowa farmers who planted cover crops in fall 2017 may be eligible for a $5 per acre premium reduction on their crop insurance in 2018. More than 2,600 farmers signed up to try various conservation methods on more than 270,000 acres in 98 counties. The state will provide nearly $4.8 million in cost share funds to match the $8.7 million investment by Iowa farmers. This record participation includes more than 1,000 first-time participants.

– The department hired Dr. Judith LaBounty as the new emergency management veterinarian for Iowa. Her job has to do with preparing for a foreign animal disease outbreak.